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Comparative Study
. 2009 Dec;124(6):1849-1859.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181bcee87.

Comparative healing of surgical incisions created by the PEAK PlasmaBlade, conventional electrosurgery, and a scalpel

Shang A Loh  1 , Grace A Carlson, Edward I Chang, Eric Huang, Daniel Palanker, Geoffrey C Gurtner
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparative healing of surgical incisions created by the PEAK PlasmaBlade, conventional electrosurgery, and a scalpel

Shang A Loh et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The PEAK PlasmaBlade is a new electrosurgical device that uses pulsed radiofrequency to generate a plasma-mediated discharge along the exposed rim of an insulated blade, creating an effective cutting edge while the blade stays near body temperature.

Methods: Full-thickness incisions were made on the dorsums of pigs with the PlasmaBlade, a conventional electrosurgical device, and a scalpel, and blood loss was quantified. Wounds were harvested at designated time points, tested for wound tensile strength, and examined histologically for scar formation and tissue damage.

Results: Bleeding was reduced significantly (59 percent) in PlasmaBlade incisions compared with scalpel incisions, and acute thermal damage from the PlasmaBlade (66 +/- 5 microm) was significantly less than both cut and coagulation mode electrosurgical incisions (456 +/- 35 microm and 615 +/- 22 microm, respectively). Histologic scoring for injury and wound strength was equivalent between the PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions. By 6 weeks, the healed PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions were approximately three times stronger, and scar cosmetic appearance was significantly better compared with electrosurgical incisions.

Conclusions: The PlasmaBlade is a promising new surgical instrument that provides atraumatic, scalpel-like cutting precision and electrosurgical-like hemostasis, resulting in minimal bleeding, tissue injury, and scar formation.

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